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RVC study reveals causes of canine diarrhoea
One in 12 dogs in the UK suffer acute diarrhoea each year.
Scavenging, digestive disease and gastroenteritis were the most common causes.

A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has uncovered the most common causes of diarrhoea in dogs in the UK.

The project sought to uncover new insights into the common condition, including which breeds diarrhoea occurred most in and the impact of different veterinary treatments.

Conducted as part of RVC’s VetCompass Programme, researchers analysed anonymised veterinary records from over two million dogs from the UK. The dogs had all attended primary veterinary care practices during 2019.

Researchers discovered that one in 12 dogs in the UK suffer from acute diarrhoea requiring veterinary care at least once each year.

The most common causes of acute diarrhoea included scavenging, underlying gastroenteritis, and other digestive diseases. Dogs may also get diarrhoea as a reaction to specific medications or a sudden dietary change.

The risk of developing diarrhoea was higher in dogs younger than three years and dogs older than nine years, with middle-aged dogs at lower risk. Breeds with long skulls were also at increased risk, while those with short skulls had a lower risk.

Among the breeds which presented with diarrhoea most often were the cavapoo, Maltese, miniature poodle and the German shepherd dog.

The study found that almost 40 per cent of cases of acute diarrhoea were treated with antibiotics. RVC says that recent research shows no clinical benefit to antibiotics for acute diarrhoea, even suggesting that it might cause further digestive upset and increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Researchers say this highlights a need to raise more awareness about appropriate antibiotic use, suggesting that bland diets with or without probiotics may be a more suitable initial response. Most cases of acute diarrhoea were found to resolve within two days of veterinary treatment, with fewer than 20 per cent of cases requiring a second veterinary visit.

Twenty-nine per cent of acute diarrhoea cases included reports of blood in diarrhoea. It was in these cases that veterinary teams were most likely to prescribe antibiotics.

Fergus Allerton, veterinary internal medicine specialist, said: “The outcomes reported here are very reassuring. They represent yet another reminder that antibiotic therapy is an unnecessary component of diarrhoea management.

“Pet owners are a key stakeholder in diarrhoea consultations. This study should help improve recognition of salient risk factors and support appropriate management without recourse to antibiotics.”

The full study is published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Image © Shutterstock

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Veterinary Dispensary Manager Online Course relaunched

News Story 1
 The VMD has announced dates for its next Veterinary Dispensary Manager Online Course.

The event will relaunch on Thursday, 23 October 2025 from 9am to 5pm and will be delivered through an interactive online session.

It is open for anyone involved in a veterinary dispensary role, whether they are new to the topic or looking for a refresh. Attendees will receive vital insights into the safe and compliant handling of veterinary medicines.

The course can be booked online for £495. 

Click here for more...
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New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.